Mental Health – Gold award

St Bede’s Catholic Middle School value the wellbeing of all staff and students within their community. We are delighted to be the first school in Redditch to have been awarded the Gold Status of The Carnegie Centre of Excellence Mental Health Award for Schools. St Bede’s Catholic Middle School provides a wide range of support to promote the wellbeing of staff and students, including such activities as student and staff meditation, our extensive student support facilities, weekly wellbeing drop in clinics with mental health first aiders, working with outside agencies to source counselling/support sessions for students in need of expert support, and a mental health focus in school to raise awareness of mental illness and the importance of mental wellbeing.

The Department of Education recognises the direct link between positive mental health in schools and successful educational outcomes; the Mental Health Award for Schools builds on this link and provides a framework to evidence policies and initiatives that work towards improving emotional health and wellbeing for both staff and pupils.

Established by Leeds Beckett University and social enterprise Minds Ahead, the mental health quality kitemark recognises schools that ensure the wellbeing of pupils and staff. The award ensures schools are using evidence-based approaches that align to professional and government guidelines. Utilising a developmental framework, which allows schools to evaluate current mental health practices, identify gaps, develop and strengthen these and work towards building an emotionally healthier environment. Through this process, schools commit to making mental health a strategic priority and developing a positive culture that promotes mental wellbeing for everyone.

Have a go at our RE challenge for this week. Create a model of a sacred place using items found around the home. We look forward to seeing what you come up with! Let's get creative! pic.twitter.com/miwJ…